Self-Aligning Spring Clamp

Spring clamps that are openable to effect assembly about a hose are well taught in the prior art. For example, the U.S. Pat. Nos. to Bright 3,295,176; Thomas 3,266,109; Ichikawa 3,370,122; Edwards 3,435,823; Philbrook 1,474,550; Parr 1,379,476 and Robertshaw 210,560 teach an openable spring clamp having locking means to effect closure of the clamp. However, each of the clamps taught in the aforesaid patents exhibit one or more deficiencies which, in field use, limits utility of the clamp. Specifically, while the clamps taught in the aforesaid patents utilize a mechanical interlock in one form or another, experience has indicated that a guidance and retention system for the latch is highly desirable to ensure proper alignment and positive retention.

A clamp in accordance with a constructed embodiment of the instant invention comprises a flat band of steel having locking means at opposite ends thereof to effect closure of the clamp about a tube. The locking means comprises a hook at one end of the band that effects a mechanical interlock with a latch at the other end of the clamp. Ramp-type flanges on the band guide the hook into engagement with the latch and retain the hook in engagement therewith by precluding lateral movement of the hook relative to the latch.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a clamp in accordance with a constructed embodiment of the instant invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary view of the clamp of FIG. 1 in the open condition;

FIG. 3 is a view showing the clamp in the fully closed condition; and

FIG. 4 is a view taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

As seen in FIG. 1 of the drawings, a spring clamp 10, in accordance with a preferred constructed embodiment of the instant invention, is disposed about a hose 12 for the retention thereof about a tube 14. The clamp 10 comprises a band 15 having a latch 18 at one end and a latch hook 20 on an opposite end. The latch hook 20 engages a radially outwardly extending concave latching surface 21 on the latch 18 in biting and mechanical locking engagement. The latch hook 20 has a radially outwardly and circumferentially extending portion 23 having a centrally disposed reinforcing rib 22 that terminates at the junction of the hook 20 with the band portion 15 of the clamp 10.

As seen in FIG. 3 of the drawing, a reentrantly folded end portion 26 of the latch hook 20 is preferably provided with a chisel edge to effect biting engagement with the latch 18 as the hook 20 moves radially inwardly along the surface 21 thereof. Thus, the hook 20 effects biting engagement as well as a mechanical lock with the latch 18. The ultimate mechanical and biting relationship between the latch hook 20 and latch 18 is best illustrated in FIG. 3 of the drawing.

In accordance with the instant invention, and as best seen in FIG. 4, the end portion 26 of the hook 20 is reduced in width so as to the accommodated between radially outwardly directed flanges 40 and 42 on opposite edges of the band 15. Initially, as seen in FIG. 2, the flanges 40 and 42 guide the end portion 26 of the latch hook 20 upon advancement thereof toward the latch 18. After the hook 20 rides over the latch 18 and engages the concave surface 21 thereof, the flanges 40 and 42 restrain the end portion 26 of the hook 20 from movement laterally of the band 15.

The clamp 10 may be provided with a tensioning loop 30 which, since band length is nonadjustable, functions to maintain tension on the clamp 10 within a given tolerance range.

Assembly of the clamp 10 about the hose 12 is initiated by drawing the latch hook 20 toward the latch 18 by a suitable pliers-type tool 50. The end portion 26 of the hook 20 is guided by the flanges 40 and 42 on the band 15 during this phase of assembly. As the latch hook 20 reaches the latch 18 it rides thereover until the biting edge thereon engages the concave surface 21 of the latch 18 in biting engagement. The hook 20 is thereafter biased radially inwardly to the fully closed position shown in FIG. 4, the flanges 40 and 42 precluding lateral movement thereof.

From the foregoing description it should be apparent that the spring clamp of the instant invention provides for positive retention of the latch hook on the latch which precludes spurious opening of the clamp.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been disclosed, it should be appreciated that the invention is susceptible of modification without departing from the scope of the following claims.